Head of Google for Entrepreneurs, Germany

Rowan Barnett joined Google as Head of Google for Entrepreneurs in 2017 to lead on its startup activities in Germany. Rowan is passionate about using Google’s resources to create a more inclusive ecosystem in Berlin, and help a new diverse generation of entrepreneurs succeed.

Prior to Google, Rowan spent nearly 5 years at Twitter, where he was Senior Director of Market Development in D/A/CH, Benelux, Russia and Emerging markets for Twitter, responsible for their user growth efforts. 

Previously he spent 8 yrs leading digital and social innovation at the German publisher Axel Springer and news site, BILD.de, where he founded a number of ventures, products and apps. 

Rowan has always been passionate about startups and has played an active role as a founder, advisor and mentor in the Berlin ecosystem since moving to Berlin in 2004, and frequently advises growth stage companies through his position as Global Chair of H2 among others. 

Rowan, born and raised in England, studied History at Oriel College, Oxford, with his dissertation on feminism and the changing personal identity of women throughout history.